Berodesign

52-42 in front.
20-17-15-14-13-12 in rear.

Any comments. With this combination I should be able to a fairly equal increase through all the gears, 0.3 - 0.6 increase in gain ratio. ( www.sheldonbrown.com/gain.html ) I will also be able to shift, with the chain on the small ring in front, up to the fifth gear and then move over to big ring in front and third gear in rear to avoid using the same "gear".

What do you reckon???

55/Rad

Sounds like you are either a monster climber or there aren't many big hills in your area.

55/Rad

fogrider

I hope you don't live near any hills. where did dig this out from...its a six speed!!??!! I didn't know you could get a six speed cassette. I have a '86 dura ace cassette which is one of the early models and it has 7 speeds. I live in san francisco and need much more gearing. I've learned to adapt my spin for a wider range and can get pretty good power shifting with greater spacing between the cogs.

Patriot

I have a 52/42 and a 13-24 cassette on my centurion, and it is tough on the climbs. I will have to admit, I am glad my new bike has the 39/25 for a small/small combo for climbing, a little better than the old Centurion.

Berodesign

I got now 52-42 and 24-14 and I can stand it on the climbs, so I thought I would like something harder and then do some exercise. Why substitute muscle power for gear ratios?

55/Rad

Does this mean you can handle it on the climbs or you stand out of the saddle on the climbs? Going from a 24 to a 20 is a fairly big leap. I like to sit to climb and only stand out when things get really hard, but that's me.

55/Rad

LordOpie

i'm still confused... are you going with a custom 6-spd cassette? I know you're trying to avoid overlapping gears, but I'm cheap, so I'd just use an 11-21 9-spd.

Berodesign

I can handle it. But of course, I will probably swear long oathes on some climbs, but on the other hand, for those routes I got a MTB which I also will use for heavy touring. So this roadie is basically for flat areas and going down hills

I always sit until I start to go backwards or fall off. That way I force myself to get stronger and stronger legs.

Berodesign

I will customize it yes. Buy loose cogs and spacers and then build it up, shouldnt be to hard. The reason for 6-speed is that I think that a roadie should have 6-speeds only (12-speeds). As the founder of Tour de France said, "Gears are for people over 45." And actually, I think that for someone that doesnt compete, 6-speed on a roadie is enough. If you cant handle it, then buy a MTB and get in shape before jumping on a roadie.

sydney

Well then, be a real man and ride a fixie.

55/Rad

Sydney - you are da' man! Writin' what I was thinkin' and all...

55/Rad

Berodesign

Haha, not let us jump the conclusions here. 6-speed cassette is fine for me. No need to go to the extremes. I am also a bit out of options since I am going to stick to my Shimano 600 groupset.

ggg300

Your gonna make the “solve everything with hard training” camp very proud!

I always say do what works…but if you don’t like the outcome you can just go 39t up front…..by the way would you say you “spin” or “mash” up a hill?

53-11 alltheway

That must be a freewheel right? How did manage score a 12T in the freewheel? I know they are out there.....but very expensive to buy when you find them.

Biggest problem with freewheels isn't the gearing...it's reaching down to shift the cluster in the back when you are going fast.

53-11 alltheway

Good luck finding that 12T......if it's a freewheel like I'm thinking.

Berodesign

It is a ordinary Shimano 600, with the bearings out at the edge. (dont remember if that was freehub). And loosescrews.com do have some threaded 12T for Shimano 600.